24 



The Gentle Art of Angling. 



food is offered at the end of a 

 line they have a way of suddenly 

 remembering an engagement at 

 another part of the pond or river. 

 It is a case of diamond cut 

 diamond, and a plan of campaign 

 extending over several days must 

 be adopted. When they have 

 been supplied with ground-bait 

 for a night or two, small portions 



before any profit is reaped. But 

 the profit comes when a fully 

 armed hook and stouter cast 

 take the place of the decoy, that 

 is, to those who have time and 

 patience to go to all this trouble. 

 If one is not ready to do all this, 

 he will be better advised to go 

 after whales or crocodiles any- 

 thing, in short, rather than carp. 



THE HOME OF THE CARP. 



should be dropped into the water 

 at different times of day. Then 

 pieces attached to a hook without 

 a point to it should be lowered 

 into the water on fine gut, stained 

 water-colour. If this is taken, 

 the process should be repeated, 

 and the wearing off of the shyness 

 will begin. A good deal of capital 

 must be sunk in the business 



The rod most suitable is a 

 14 ft. length, and fairly pliable. 

 A very stiff weapon puts a heavy 

 strain on the cast, a lighter make 

 admits of using finer tackle 

 an important consideration. The 

 latter should consist of salmon 

 gut of the best quality. In still 

 water on a fine day no shot should 

 be used, and when a breeze is 



